Are we now embarking on a real estate tax war?

TO SUGGEST THAT HOMEOWNERS ARE SUBSIDIZING FARMERS IS OUTRAGEOUS 

ANYTHING GOES, IN AN ATTEMPT TO RAISE GOVERNMENT REVENUES

   

The Morning call ran an article yesterday that clearly attempted to propose the idea that homeowners taxes are high because they are subsidizing farmers and others who qualify for reduced real estate taxes through Act 319. This legislation taxes open space, woodlands and farms at a lower rate than housing. It also suggests that large houses with property are also taxed at lower rate. This is really not the case as houses, barns, garages, swimming pools, even if associated with a farm, are taxed at the higher rate. Only the land used or available for farming is taxed at a lower rate.

Without these offsets, it would end farming in Pennsylvania in the first year. It would literally bankrupt anyone who owns farmland, woodland or marginal land in the state. 

It appears that this is the beginning of a new government/media attempt to raise revenues for government entities in the state.

The Morning call failed to mention that itself has a reduced tax rate due to its inclusion in the NIZ program introduced by Mayor Pawlowski. So according to their theory they are being subsidized by the taxpayer of Allentown.

Everyone understands the inequities of the Real Estate tax. From the subjective assessment values, to some who qualify for reduced taxes who maybe should not. We should be looking for real solutions, not trying to pit one group against another to attempt to raise government revenues.

The problem with high real estate taxes is more of a problem of uncontrolled spending by school districts. Spending on nice but unnecessary things that do not add to educational outcomes. Much of this spending is encouraged by envy of what other schools may have in nicer athletic fields or offices for the administration.

Rather than try to divide and conquer the citizens of the state to raise real estate taxes. It is time for the elimination of the Real Estate tax. This antiquated tax, which was used before an income tax existed, is the most discriminatory and inequitable way of funding education. To suggest that only property owners should be responsible for paying the costs of education is ridiculous. This tax needs to be eliminated and replaced with a income or percapita and income combination, that spreads the tax across the whole population. It would also restore the principle of private property, that we really do own our property, rather than lease it from local government entities.